We Got A Bobcat!

Porter joined cub scouts this year. Last night he recieved his first patch, Bobcat. Unfortunately, they don't turn the boys upside down to pin it on like when I was a kid.

A Little Less Conversation....

Sometimes it's all you can do to just keep on keeping on when times are tough. With the death of a very close friend recently, I've not taken the time to document too many of the fun, every day moments that our family has been having. My tendency has always been to bury myself in busyness when things are sad, bad, or just plain depressing. How comforting that God gives us our own little refuges to hide in when we just can't deal with talking about the sad things. Our kids have to keep going to soccer practices, scout meetings and ballet, and the world can't stop just because I'm sad. What a relief!

The kids had a great opening day of soccer! Somehow, both of their teams ended up being called "The Cheetahs." Riley's team came up with that name, and Porter thought it was cool enough to suggest to his coach.
I guess Cheetahs aren't really gender specific.

Liz-a-lina Ballerina

Finally, after two years of watching from the sidelines, it was finally Lizzie's turn to shine.

Firsts

We had a good first day of school today. Porter is now an old pro, and displayed a sufficiently "this isn't that big of a deal" attitude throughout. Riley is taking the whole thing very seriously, and her first words as she rolled out of bed were, "I have a lot of work to do." Lizzie is getting used to the idea of having my undivided attention for the first time, and I'm adjusting to having one kid in the house all day for the first time in seven years! Here's to firsts!

It's a cruel, cruel summer....

...mostly because it's over. Take one last jump in the pool, kids. School starts Tuesday!

Friends are friends forever...

I was blessed with a visit from my longest, oldest best friend... hard to believe we've known each other since we were three. She and her precious baby boy, Wendell, came by for a quick lunch on their way through town. I love you Sarah and Wendell! And much thanks to Katie and Mrs. Short for taking the time for the pit stop.

West Virginia...Mountain Mama

Porter, Riley and a not-too-thrilled Lizzie, posing with my cousin Lisa's baby, Miles.


Lizzie, eating tomatoes as fast as anyone can slice em.



Posing during the nature hike.

Porter, riding the range.

Riley, working on archery with Brice's cousin Bryan

All the grandkids and great grandkids sporting their archery caps.

Riley and Ryleigh

Although we would not recommend driving 12 hours with three kids to the general population, our kiddos really came through for us and were absolute sweethearts in the car. We stopped on the way up and visited my cousin Lisa and her family in Chattanooga. Then, on to West Virginia where we really enjoyed Brice's family reunion: meeting family, horseback rides, archery, the works! We even found out that one of Brice's cousins has a moniker that sounded very familiar. Once the two little girls got over the initial shock of realizing that they were not unique in the world, Riley Young and Ryleigh Young really enjoyed meeting each other!